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Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin remain the top two players for Ohio State one month into the 2026 season, according to the latest Buckeye 20 rankings published by Eleven Warriors. An eight-voter panel placed Smith at No. 1 and Sayin at No. 2, maintaining the status quo from the preseason ballot. While the top four spots—including Jaylen McClain at third and Austin Siereveld at fourth—remained unchanged, the remainder of the rankings shifted to reflect significant movement among the team’s defensive depth.
Defensive Backs Climb in October Rankings
A surge in performance from the secondary defined the latest update. Four players who appeared in the preseason rankings moved up, and all four were defensive backs. Jermaine Mathews Jr. climbed nine spots to reach fifth place, while Jay Timmons rose 10 spots to land at No. 10. Devin Sanchez and Earl Little Jr. also improved their standing, moving up three spots each to sixth and ninth, respectively.
This shift places all five of Ohio State’s starting defensive backs in the top 10. Outside of this group and seventh-ranked defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., the top 10 currently lacks representation from the rest of the defense.
Breakout Players Entering the Top 20
Six players earned a spot in the Buckeye 20 for the first time this season, changing the team's roster impact. Linebacker Riley Pettijohn leads this group at No. 11, having recorded four tackles for loss and two sacks through the first four games of the season.
Other newcomers include running back Ja’Kobi Jackson (14th), linebacker TJ Alford (16th), defensive tackle John Walker (17th), defensive tackle Jason Moore (19th), and offensive tackle Ian Moore (20th). These players moved into the rankings after playing roles deeper into the rotation than initially anticipated, while the Moore duo and Walker have solidified positions as starters in the trenches.
Departures from the Season-Long Rankings
Six players who appeared in the preseason top 20 fell out of the rankings following the first month of play. Linebacker Payton Pierce, defensive tackle Eddrick Houston, and offensive tackle Phillip Daniels were the first three to drop out.
Eleven Warriors reported that while Pierce and Houston have started every game, their overall impact has not met initial expectations. Daniels’ exit from the top 20 follows an injury sustained against Texas that forced him to miss the previous two games. Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. also fell out of the rankings; despite a 75-yard touchdown performance against Kent State, he has recorded only three total catches for 105 yards. Running back Isaiah West and defensive tackle James Smith were removed from the list after failing to receive votes in the latest balloting.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Buckeye 20
How are the player rankings calculated?
The rankings are determined by an eight-voter panel. Each voter assigns points based on their personal top 20, with 20 points awarded for a first-place vote, 19 for second, down to one point for a 20th-place vote, for a maximum total of 160 points.
How is a tie between players resolved?
When two players finish with the same total point value, the tie is broken by looking at the highest individual vote received by each player. For example, Earl Little Jr. and Jay Timmons both finished with 89 points, but Little secured the 9th spot because he received a third-place vote on one ballot.
When will the next player rankings be released?
The next update to the Buckeye 20 is scheduled for the first week of November. The rankings will be re-evaluated following the team’s upcoming four-game stretch against Iowa, Maryland, Indiana, and USC.